Minnesota News https://mn.gov/ en-us Minnesota https://mn.gov/ https://mn.gov/ From Service to the Workforce: Recognizing Veterans in Northwest Minnesota 2026-04-22T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-744379 In honor of Hire a Veteran Month, let's recognize the vital role that veterans play in Northwest Minnesota's workforce. Beyond their extraordinary service to our nation, veterans continue to strengthen the economy and communities of this region through their active participation in the labor force. Women at Work: Northwest Minnesota's Majority Workforce and Caregivers 2026-03-19T18:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-739019 Women don't just participate in Northwest Minnesota's economy, they carry the lions share of employment. Nearly 59% are in the labor force – including those who are unemployed or self-employed – compared to 62.5% for the overall population. Northwest Minnesota's Job Market: Holding Steady or Starting to Slide? 2026-02-20T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-726010 How hard is it to find a job in Northwest Minnesota right now? To answer that question, we can look at two complementary sources: insights from the workforce professionals who work directly with job seekers, and the "hard" labor market data from DEED. Northwest Minnesota High School Graduates are Opting for Less College 2026-01-29T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-721537 In 2019, 62% of Northwest Minnesota high school graduates enrolled in college the following fall. By 2022, that figure dropped to 55%, where it has remained through 2024. The New Face of Northwest Minnesota's Workforce: Diversity Drove Post-Pandemic Recovery 2025-12-31T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-717803 The story of Northwest Minnesota's employment recovery isn't just about numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels – it's about who is doing the work. Northwest Minnesota's Construction Sector Leads Regional Growth 2025-11-19T19:32:47Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-713698 Construction added the most jobs (+1,999) and grew the fastest (+17.6%) of any industry sector in Northwest Minnesota from 2019 to 2024. Northwest Minnesota Wages: Beating Inflation and Narrowing the Gap 2025-10-23T16:40:37Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-710500 Twenty years ago, Northwest wages lagged statewide wages by 23.5%. Today, that gap is just 11.2%. Northwest Minnesota Manufacturing Powers Through with High Wages and High Demand Occupations 2025-09-15T16:40:37Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-706955 In the Northwest region, manufacturing workers earn an average annual wage of $66,092, which is 24% higher than the $53,404 average across all industries combined. Recent Data Reveal Northwest Minnesota's Loosening Labor Market 2025-08-27T16:40:37Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-703338 The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) for first quarter 2025 shows a slight 0.2% employment decline (-440 jobs) for Northwest Minnesota compared to first quarter 2024. Net Migration Continues to Drive Northwest Minnesota Population and Workforce Growth 2025-07-23T16:40:37Z Anthony Schaffhauser https://mn.gov/deed/data/locallook/northwest/northwest-blog.jsp?id=1045-699257 Continuing a growth trend driven entirely by people moving into the region rather than natural population increase.